Junior Category Manager

Junior Category Manager | Manchester | International Retailer | £30,000 + Benefits & Flexible/Hybrid Working

This role of Junior Category Manager will focus on the design and development of offerings across one of our clients key brands. You'll drive profitability by managing sales, optimising trading actions, introducing new ranges, and ensuring efficiency-all while keeping a close eye on the competition!

Collaboration is key as you'll work with various cross-functional teams, including wholesale, retail, and trading. Building strong relationships with your designers and product sourcing team will be essential, as you'll set clear product briefs to guide development.

As the Junior Category Manager you'll manage price negotiations with suppliers in the Far East, either directly or through their China office. An established background in effective sourcing will help you develop high-quality ranges at the best prices, delivered at the right time and place.

Overview of the role:

• Conduct market research in the UK and Europe's workwear to promote and attract new business, brands and suppliers
• Collaborate with your Manager on fabric development, providing clear briefs to the Asia team and setting performance standards.
• Define range requirements, including price points, fabrics, fit, and construction for design and development teams.
• Establish testing standards and documentation early in the development process.
• Provide development and sales samples for key meetings and marketing shoots.
• Maintained updated product documentation in PLM for cross-functional team awareness.
• Analysed competitor ranges and pricing for strategic insights.
• Developed designs to meet specific price points and introduced commercial innovations.
• Negotiated prices with suppliers in Asia to achieve target margins.
• Ensured adherence to the corporate calendar, meeting deadlines with guidance from the Professional Brand Manager.

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